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Build a Financial Team That’s Super Bowl Strong

Rob Rumley, ass’t vp & financial advisor at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, Atlanta

The Super Bowl is upon us again. Football enthusiasts will gather with friends and family for good food and fun, as they watch the best teams compete for the coveted title of  Super Bowl champs. I love watching football and am impressed by how much strategy has gone into building each team —  from the players to the coaches — to achieve greatness.

And the team was built before the season started. As a financial advisor and a fan of good planning, I can’t help to compare the building of a good football team to building a good financial team. Here’s how I see the similarities:

The Coach: Financial advisors can easily play this role. With an interest in building the best team around you to help you succeed with your financial goals, your financial advisor or “coach” will help keep you on track. As the key player, you seek guidance, and an experienced financial advisor will do just that.

The Quarterback: This player on the football field is the person in charge of executing important plays to move towards a goal. As the quarterback, you and your advisory team will focus on the goal. On the field, you have many goals, such as calling out the correct play, completing a pass, making a run, and ultimately getting a touchdown. With your finances, there are many goals as well, including making wise investments, keeping your portfolio balanced, staying out of debt, building your retirement fund, giving to charity and perhaps, ultimately building a legacy for your family.

The Team: All quarterbacks rely on the entire team to accomplish the overall goals. A good financial team should always look ahead at the best way to help you manage your assets and investments. A proactive approach is needed to accomplish the forward-moving strides. Certain players are needed for this. On the other side of the play, however, a quarterback has to always be aware when a defensive player may sack him. That’s why he — like everyone else on the field — wears protective gear.

Additionally the quarterback has players looking out for his well-being and will tackle any threat heading his way. The financial equivalent would be to always try to be protected (with emergency funds, insurance, wills, etc.) in case of a sudden setback.  Your overall team, guided by your coach and financial advisor, can include qualified CPAs, attorneys, insurance agents and more.

Are you prepared to build your financial team like the Super Bowl greats? With a winning team, you’ll most likely reach your financial goals with roaring-crowd confidence.

Rob Rumley is a Financial Advisor with the Global Wealth Management Division of Morgan Stanley in Atlanta.  The information contained in this article is not a solicitation to purchase or sell investments. Any information presented is general in nature and not intended to provide individually tailored investment advice. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be suitable for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives.  Investing involves risks and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest. The views expressed herein are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, or its affiliates. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC, member SIPC.

 

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